Metal wheel



C. SCHENCK.

METAL WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1918.

1,404, 11 1 I Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

:51 r I/ m I a;

I 6 wvwrfog C. SCHENCK.

METAL WHEEL.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, I918- 1,404,41 1 Patented Jan. 24. 1922,

4 SHEETS SHEET 2.

4-1 44 4d :39 n, n "V 41 a :7 l 38A 2 z: as 23 l \A a F1721- mi 26 I as I l a,

1 47 t 46 ET. 11L w a! zo I as 11 0 89 awua/wtoz Patented Jan. 24,1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

54mm 14 C042 Char/es 5c henck.

C. SCHENCK.

METAL WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1918.

1 ,404,41 1 Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

| HI l 7 a Charles Gchenck.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SCHENCK, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BULDID WHEEL COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNsYI. VANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

METAL WHEEL.

Application filed June 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAnLEs ScHnNoK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Wheels, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to metal wheels and more particularly to the type of wheel comprising two wheel discs connected together.

The principal object 01" this invention is to construct metal wheels of novel construction which are eilicient, strong, durable, economical of manufacture and easily assembled.

Another object of my invention is to construct a metal wheel comprising two metal discs and braces having a novel construction and arrangement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for manufacturing metal wheels.

Further objects, and objects relating to economics of manufacture and details of construction, will definitely appear in the detailed description following:

I accomplish the object of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specifications. My invention is clearly definedv and pointed. out in the appended claims.

A structure constituting a preferred form oi the embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. I is a side view of a front wheel embodying my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. III.

Fig. III is a vertical sectional view,taken substantially on the line III-III of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a detail cross sectional view through the center of the wheel and is taken substantially on the line IVIV of Fig. II.

Fig. V is a fragmentary cross-section taken substantially on the line VV of Fig. II.

Fig. VI is a fragmentary cross section showing the method for spot welding the parts together.

Fig. V II is a detail perspective view of Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

1918. Serial No. 238,689.

one of the cross braces mounted adjacent the periphery of the wheel.

Fig. VIII is a fragmentary cross-section near the periphery of the wheel and is taken substantially on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. II.

Fig. IX is a side View of a portion of the wheel near its periphery.

Fig. X is a side view of a rear wheel embodying my invention.

Fig. XI is a vertical section through the rear wheel, being taken substantially on the line XIXI of Fig. XII.

Fig. XII is a cross section taken substantially on the line XII-XII of Fig. XI and shows the hub in full.

' Fig. XIII is a detail cross-section through the hub portion of the rear wheel and is taken substantially on the line XIII-XIII of Fig. XI.

Fig. XIV is a detail, cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line XIVXIV of Fig. XI to show the construction of one of the supplementary curved braces mounted on the radial braces.

I11 the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little 7 arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In general, my invention comprises a hub member, bearing a sheet metal disc wheel adapted to be disconnected from the hub. Each metal wheel comprises two discs, suitably connected together by braces. In assembling the sheet metal wheel radially-extending braces are first spot-welded to circular plates near the hub of the wheel.

The wheel discs are then spot-weided to the radial braces beyond the plates, the braces being reduced near their inner end so that the plates are seated between the radial braces and the wheel discs. Sheet metal braces U-shaped in cross-section, are also spot-welded to the disc wheels and these brace extend transversely of the radii of the wheel, and between the radial braces.

After the wheel discs have been spotwelded to the radial braces as well as to the transverse braces, braces T-shaped in cross section are slipped between the ends or peripheral portions of the discs and then turned to seat their ends in channels or grooves, which are formed by suitably bending the discs adjacent their peripheries. The T-shaped braces are then spot-welded to the wheel discs. Finally, a metal rim is shrunk upon projections of the T-shaped braces and on the flanges forming the'outer sides of the grooves or channels of the discs.

The wheel as then constructed is applied to the inner hub and fastened thereto by means of bolts which extend through the wheel discs, the circular plates and flanges on the hub.

Describing the front wheel first more in detaih'and referring now more particularly to Figs. II, III and IV of the drawin s, a hub 20 carries the wheel which may e detachably mounted on the hub. The wheel comprises two substantially parallel wheel discs 23 which are constructed preferably of sheet metal, and adjacent their peripheries are bent to form circular channels or grooves 24 extending around the discs and'U-shaped in cross-section.

The wheel 'discs 23 are suitably spaced apart by braces 25 which are formed of sheet metal and extend substantially from the hub 20 to the channels 24 adjacent the peripheries of the wheel discs 23. As shown in Fig. III, the braces 25 which are U- shaped in cross-section, are slightly reduced in width from 26 to their inner ends. A circular sheet metal plate 27 is attached to the front reduced side portions of the braces preferably by spot-welding, as indicated at 28. A circular plate 29 is similarly connected to the other or rear sides of the reduced portions of the braces 25. The plate 29 has a cylindrical drawn portion 30' extending over the inner ends of the braces 25 and terminating in the circular opening 31 formed in center of the outside wheel disc 23. The edge of the central opening in the inner disc 24 is drawn to form a. conical portion 30 A which projects in to the enlarged inner end of the portion 30 of the plate 29. In assembling the wheels, the braces 25 are properly positioned on and spot 'welded first to one of the plates 27 or 29 and then to the other plate, so that the plates with the braces form a unit. One of thewheel discs 23 is then placed on the braces 25 and spot welded thereto at adjacentpoints'as indicated at 29 A. It will be seen from Fig. III that the reduction in width of the braces 25 is suflicient to permit the plates 27 and 29 to lie snugly between the braces andthe inner sides of the wheel discs 23.

Sheet metal braces 33, U-shaped in crosssection, are next connected by spot welding and VII) has a radial transverse portion 36 and oppositely extending flanges 37 on one end of the portion 36. After both wheel discs have been spot welded to the braces and 33 the braces 35 are inserted longitudinally into the space between the opposed ends of the "flanges 39 forInin the outer sides of the channels 24 and then turned 180 degrees at right, angles to the planes of the wheel discs to seat their ends in the channels The inner walls of the channels 24 are then spot welded to the flanges 37 of the braces 35 as indicated at 41, (Figs. III and VIII). It will be observed that at the outer end of each of the radially extending bars 25, there is one of a series of T-bars 35, which engages and is partially supported by the outer end of the bar 25 so that in effect,

each bar 25 and the corresponding T-bar 35 form a spoke member, the outer ends of these spoke members being in engagement with the rim 40 and the inner ends in engagement with the flange or hub portion 30 of the plate 29. After these T-,.haped braces 35 have been fastened into position, the interior of the wheel is sprayed with paint or other desirable non-corrosive and protective substance or coated in any other desirable manner.

A ter the interior of the metal wheel has been suitably coated as above stated, a rim 40 is then shrunk upon the flanges 39 forming the outside walls of the channels 24 of the wheel discs. The T-shaped braces 35 have outwardly extending projections 44 which project between the flanges 39 and have their outer ends flush with the outer surfaces of the flanges so that when the rim is shrunk on the flanges it is also shrunk upon the projections. Therefore, the T- shaped members serve as suitable spacing and bracing members for the wheel discs adj acent their peripheries and also serve as interior supports for the rim. The rim at its inner edges is preferably are welded at intervals to the wheel discs 24 as indicated at 45 in Figs. VIII and IX.

The wheel as thus assembled is mounted upon the hub 20 the hub portion 30 of the plate 29 being adapted to seat on the central cylindrical portion of the hub 20. This hub 20 has an integral rear flange 46 and a front detachable flange 47. The wheel is mounted upon the hub with the inner wheel disc 23 engaging the flange 46 and then the removable flange 4-7 is placed upon the front end of the hub and bolts inserted through holes in the flanges 46 and 47, and in the plates 27 and 29 and wheel discs to rigidly connect all of the parts together. The holes in the plates and the discs through which the bolts project are preferably drilled be fore the plates and the wheel discs are assembled, the holes of the above members being brought into coincidence or registry while being assembled. After the wheel is assembled, these holes are reamed out so that their registry with each other is assured.

The construction of the rear wheels is very similar to that of the front wheels above described and therefore the corresponding parts in the rear and front wheels are given like reference numerals in the drawings and only the points of diiference between the front and rear wheels will be described now.

The radial braces 25 and transverse braces 33 of the rear wheel are somewhat wider than the corresponding braces in the front wheel but are similarly arranged. The channels 24 of the rear wheel are considerably deeper and the rim 40 and braces 35 are considerably wider than on the front wheel, the rear wheel being made larger in these respects to make it stronger since it drives the vehicle and hence is subjected to more stress and torque. It will be observed that in both the front and rear wheels the braces 35 assist in supporting the rim 40 and prevent buckling, bending or distortion of the rim 40 and the wheel discs. If the load is supported in the central plane of the wheel, as when the center of the rim passes over a stone or ridge, the braces prevent the rim from bending at the point or line of contact and the wheel disks are supported, not only by the rim, but also by the braces where they engage the ends of the braces 25 and the inner walls or flanges of the channels 24. hen a stone or ridge supports the wheel to one side of the central plane, the braces 35 assist in supporting and aid in preventing distortion of the wheel disc on the other side of the cen tral plane the braces project into its channel 24. and are connected thereto.

In addition to the radial braces 25, the rear wheelis provided with radial braces arranged midway between the radial braces 25 and spot welded at their sides to the plates 27 and 29 in the same manner as the braces 25 are spot welded thereto. Mounted on the inner side of the rear wheel is a brake drum 52 of the usual construction. The drum 52 is mounted on the wheel by bolts 53 which project through registering holes in the drum, the wheel discs 23 and the plates 27 and.28. In order to strengthen the wheel midway between the center and periphery and adjacent the bolts 53, sheet metal members 55 of the same width as the braces 25 and 33 are mounted on these braces by having their flat portions 56 (Fig. XI) spot welded thereto. The curved portions 57 of these members curve about the bolts 53. As the side ends of these members engage the plates 27 and 29 they prevent the bolts 53 from being tightened too much, which, in

the absence of these members, might happen with the consequential damage or distor tion to the braces 25 and 3 Mounted on the inner wall of the channel 24; of the inner wheel disc 23 are hooks 60, the hooks being fastened by rivets 61. These hooks form attaching devices for the usual anti-skid chains.

The method of spot welding the wheel discs to the braces is shown in Fig. VI. Small metal discs 63 are spot welded on the outside of the discs 23 at the welded points, the discs 63 being welded when the wheel discs are welded to the braces. The discs 63 are then ground off to make a smooth surface. These discs 63 are employed, as the wheel discs would be slightly depressed and rough at the spot welded points if the discs 63 were not used.

It is thought that the construction of the improved wheel will be clear from the above construction. The particular construction and arrangement of the braces make the wheel very strong and efficient as they are arranged to sustain any stress to which the wheel is subjected. It is also obvious that the wheel is very easily and cheaply assembled.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention, which I have here shown and described, is susceptible of con siderable variation without departing from the spirit thereof, and, therefore, I desire to claim the same specifically, as well as broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus'described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a metal disc wheel, an inner and an outer wheel disc, radial braces between the discs and connected thereto, means project ing through the discs and bent braces fast on the radial braces and encircling said projecting means.

2. In a metal disc. wheel, an inner and an outer wheel disc, radial sheet metal braces between the discs and fast thereto and curved members fastened onlyto the braces and adapted to engage the discs to serve as supplementary bracing members.

3. In a metal disc wheel, radial braces, plates connected to the braces adjacent their inner ends, wheel discs connected to the braces beyond the plates, hub having flanges, means projecting through the hub flanges, the discs and the plates for connecting the same togethenbolts projecting through the plates and the wheel discs for connecting the same together and attaching a brake drum, and supplementary braces mounted on the radial braces and bent about said bolts.

4. In a metal disc wheel, two wheel discs, radially extending metal bars connected to the discs, and a plurality of transverse braces seated on the outer ends of thcbars and connected to the discs.

5. In a metal disc wheel, two wheel discs, radially extending metal bars connectedto the discs, a plurality of transverse braces seated on the outer ends of the bars and rigidly secured to the discs, anda rim mounted on the outer edge portions of. the discs and the transverse braces.

6. In a wheel, the combination of a pair of discs, a plurality of transverse reinforcing members mounted on the peripheries of. said discs, a rim mounted on said reinforcing members and the peripheries of said discs, and a plurality of brace members disposed between and connected to said discs and extending radially thereof, the said brace members terminating in line with the bases of said transverse reinforcing members.

7. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spaced sheet metal plates, means for securing said plates to said hub, radial and transversely disposed brace members interposed between and connected to said plates, said plates being provided with peripheral, oppositely disposed, annular off-set channels forming the felloe of the wheel, a plurality of transverse brace members locate-d in said felloe, and a rim resting on said felloe and in engagement with said members whereby a substantial portion of the load sustained by the wheel is transmitted from said rim through said brace members and said plates;

8. In a wheel, the combination of a plural-- ity of flanged radial members, a plurality of flanged transverse members, side plates secured together against and embracing said flanged members, a rim seated on the peripheries of said side plates, and a plurality of metal reinforcing members spanning said side plates at the peripheries thereof and bearing against said rim.

9. In a wheel, the combination of a pair of wheel discs, a rim carried bythe peripheries thereof, and a plurality of radially extending braces disposed between said discs, the inner portions of said braces being reduced in width and spaced from said discs.

10. In a wheel, the combination of a pair of wheel discs, a plurality of radially extending braces disposed between said discs and U-shaped in cross-section, and a pair of plates lying against and fastened to the innor portions of said braces, said wheel discs lying against and being welded to the sides of said braces beyond the plates.

11. In a wheel, the combination of a pair of wheel discs, a plurality of radially extending braces U-shaped in cross-section and having their inner portions reduced in width, said braces being disposed between the discs, and plates abutting and connected to the reduced portions of the braces and lying in the same planes as the sides of the outer portions of the braces, said wheel discs being secured to the braces'beyond the plates.

12. In a .wheel, the combination of an inner hub member, a pair ofwheel discs, a plurality of radially extending braces U- shaped in cross-section, and having their inner portions reduced in width, said braces being disposed between the discs, and a pair of plates connected to opposite sides of the reduced portions of said braces, one of said plates having a central laterally extending integral sleeve forming an outer; hub member, saidwheel discs being connected to the braces beyond the plates.

13. In a wheel, the combination of an inner hub member, a pair of wheel discs, a plurality of radially extending braces disposed bet-wcen said discs, ,and ,a pair of plates connectedto the opposite sides of the inner portions of said braces, one of said plates being shaped to forman outer hub member, said discs being directly connected to the braces beyond the plates.

14. In a wheel, the combination of-a pair of discs, one of said discs having an integral, annular, central flange extending through a central opening formed in the other disc, and a plurality of radially extending braces connected to said discs with their inner ends engaging said fiange.

15. Ina wheel, the combination of a pair of wheel discs, a plurality of radially extending metal braces disposed between and connected to said discs, and a platemounted between one of said discs and the braces, and having an inturned, central, annular flange forming a hub portion, and engaged by the inner ends of saidbraces.

16. In a wheel, the combination of a-wheel disc, a plurality of braces extending radially thereof and connected thereto, and a' plate mounted between said disc and said braces, and having a central flange forming a hub portion.

17. In a wheel, the combination of, a pair of wheel discs, a plurality of braces extending radially thereof and connected thereto, and a plate disposed between one of said discs and said braces and provided with'a central, annular flange forming a hub portion, said disc having a central annular flange extending within said first-mentioned flange.

18. In a'wheel, the combination of a hub, spaced sheet metal plates secured to said hub and having peripheral portions forming a felloe, a rim resting on said felloe, and a plurality of radially extending brace members of different lengths disposed between and connected to said plates.

19. In a wheel, the combination of a hub and a pair of parallel spaced plates, a rim carried by the peripheries of said plates, spacing and bracing means to hold said plates in parallel relation, comprising a plurality of radially extending braces and a plurality of shorter radially extending braces located between said first mentioned braces, all of said braces being disposed between and rigidly secured to said plates and means to secure said plates and spacing members rigidly to said hub.

20. In a Wheel, the combination of a hub, a pair of Wheel discs connected thereto, a rim carried by the peripheries of said discs, a plurality of radially disposed spoke men,- bers between and connected to said discs, a pair of plates connected to the inner portions of said spoke members, and a plurality of radially extending brace members disposed between and connected. to said plates.

21. The method of making Wheels comprising, first, spot Welding the sides of radial braces to plates near their inner ends to form a spider unit, and, then, spot Welding a pair of Wheel discs to the sides of said members beyond the plates.

22. The method of making Wheels comprising, l'irst, connecting the sides of braces to plates near the inner ends of said braces and in a radial arrangement so as to form a spider unit, then connecting a pair of Wheel discs to the sides of the braces beyond the plates, then, inserting cross braces into peripheral channels formed in said Wheel discs and finally connecting said cross braces to said Wheel discs.

23. The method of making Wheels comprising, first, assembling in a radial arrangement between a pair of plates a plurality of braces, then, Welding the sides of the inner ends of said braces to said plates and forming a spider unit, then, spot Welding a pair of Wheel discs to the sides of the braces beyond the plates, then, inserting cross braces into peripheral channels formed in the Wheel discs, and, finally, spot welding said cross braces to said discs.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

CHARLES SCHENCK. 

